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Medical uses
1. Treating cancer by subjecting a patient to controlled amounts of gamma rays from a Cobalt –60
source.
2. Used in studying the function of thyroid gland by drinking iodine-31
3. To detect blood clot in the body where the patent is injected sodium 25 into the blood system and
detect where it stops, tracing brain tumors and also to detect internal bleeding.
4. It help to make picture of organs in the body by use of gamma camera and are later detected
gamma ray from the pictures what form a picture on the screen
5. Sterilising equipment and instruments using gamma rays.
Industrial use
1. Controlling thickness of paper , rubber , metals and plastics accurately
2. Controlling the filling of packets and containers.
3. Tracing fluid flow in pipes .
4. Used in textile industrial where beta radiation fix various chemical onto cotton fibre
5. Used to trace the flow of liquid in chemical factory
6. Used to preserve food where the food is exposed to gamma ray
7. Used to detect hidden flaws in metals castings
Agriculture use
1. Tracing uptake of fertilizers by plants .
2. They are used to control the screw worm fly pest in South America
3. It help to reveal the rate of photosynthesis by growing plant in the air containing carbon 14
NB isotope with short halve life is used in agricultural studies so that the before the plant
became mature and ready to by consumed the radioactive decay has already completed and it can
not harm the consumer
Energy Source
1. Used in generation of electricity. Energy produced by radioactive fission of uranium-235 is
used in nuclear power station to provide electricity.
2. Used as source energy in artificial peacemaker for heart
3. generate power
Radio dating ( Archeology )
Carbon 14 is used in dating in Archeology
NB The uses of a radioactive isotope depend on its half –life . If the half –life is too short or too
long it can have little practical application.
Dangers and Safety:
Gamma rays are the most dangerous because they can penetrate to tissues deep in the body
The danger from alpha particles is small , unless the source enters the body .
1. The ionising effect produced by radiation causes damage to cells and tissues and can also lead to
the mutation of genes and deformity .
2. Beta and gamma radiations can cause radiation burns i.e. redness and sores on the skin and
delayed effects such as : Eye cataracts - cancer
3. Large exposure can lead to death .
4. Damage to blood system may lower the resistance to some diseases.
5. It can sterility
Safety
The following safety precautions:
1. The source should be handed with forceps provided and never touch with hands
2. They should never be pointed towards a person